This week is National Volunteer Week (May 20 to 26), and Hawkesbury District Health Service (HDHS) is recognising the enormous impact of its volunteers, including 92-year-old Ruby Wilbow who has been volunteering for 36 years.
Ms Wilbow, a Pitt Town resident, said she had no plans to stop volunteering in the near future.
"For many years I delivered Meals on Wheels and spent time volunteering at the old Windsor Hospital before the new hospital was built in 1996," she said.
"I have met some wonderful people and made some great friends.
"I volunteered because I enjoyed it and because it is important to be an active part of the community".
In 2010, Ms Wilbow was recognised for her efforts and was awarded Hawkesbury Citizen of the Year.
She can still be found assisting at the hospital's gift shop as well as baking her famous lamingtons and jelly cakes for the Hawkesbury United Hospital Auxiliary's cake stall.
The Hawkesbury United Hospital Auxiliary volunteer group has over 83 years of volunteering history with the hospital and currently has over 100 members.
HDHS volunteers clock up a staggering total of 36,000 hours each year assisting in various parts of the hospital including clerical support and patient visits to running the popular hospital gift shop.
On average, the Auxiliary raises $100,000 each year, with the money donated directly to the hospital to purchase vital hospital equipment which greatly improves the quality of patient care.
To inquire about volunteering at HDHS, call 4560 5555.
